Kaplan campuses in Maine among those sold to Purdue
Purdue University’s plan to acquire Kaplan University affects three campuses in Maine.
The news, announced April 27, will mean “the creation of a new public university that will further expand access to higher education,” Purdue said in a news release. “The initiative is meant to address two striking new realities: the need for postsecondary education for working adults and others unsuited to traditional campus study, and the explosive growth of online technologies as a means of delivering education to students of all types.”
Kaplan has a total of 15 campuses in Iowa, Indiana, Nebraska, Maryland, Maine, Missouri and Wisconsin. Its Maine campuses are in Augusta, Lewiston and South Portland.
“This is important news for Maine, its citizens, and employers as our three campuses here will be even better equipped to help advance the development of Maine's workforce - and specifically by serving adult learners,” Christopher Quinn, president of the Maine campuses, said in an email to Mainebiz.
“None of us knows how fast or in what direction online higher education will evolve, but we
know its role will grow, and we intend that Purdue be positioned to be a leader as that happens,” Purdue President Mitch Daniels said. “A careful analysis made it clear that we are very ill-equipped to build the necessary capabilities ourselves, and that the smart course would be to acquire them if we could. We were able to find exactly what we were looking for. Today’s agreement moves us from a standing start to a leading position.”
Purdue will acquire Kaplan University’s 15 campuses and learning centers, which have 32,000 students and 3,000 employees.
All existing Kaplan University students and faculty will transition to the new university, which will use the Purdue name in some fashion not yet identified.
Kaplan Inc. and Kaplan University were part of Graham Holdings Co. (NYSE: GHC).
The new university will be distinct from others in the Purdue system, relying only on tuition and fundraising to cover operating expenses. No state appropriations will be used. It will operate primarily online, but has 15 locations across the United States, including an existing facility in Indianapolis, with potential for growth throughout the state. Indiana resident students will receive a yet-to-be determined tuition discount.
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